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Histocompatibility antigens in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
The Journal of Rheumatology
|August 1, 1983
Summary
This study found that the HLA-DR4 antigen is more common in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. Certain other HLA antigens, CW3 and CW6, were also more prevalent in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis are inflammatory conditions.
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes are associated with autoimmune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific HLA antigens and polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis in Caucasoid patients.
- To determine the frequency of HLA-A, B, C, and DR locus antigens in patients with these conditions.
Main Methods:
- HLA typing was performed on 55 Caucasoid patients diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica or giant cell arteritis.
- Analysis focused on HLA-A, B, C, and DR locus antigen frequencies.
Main Results:
- A significantly increased frequency of the HLA-DR4 antigen was observed in the total patient group.
- The prevalence of HLA-CW3 and HLA-CW6 antigens was also significantly elevated.
- The increase in HLA-CW3 may be linked to its known linkage disequilibrium with HLA-DR4.
Conclusions:
- HLA-DR4 is strongly associated with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis in Caucasoid individuals.
- Further research is needed to understand the role of HLA-CW6 in these conditions.